Chrissie Wellington

Chrissie took a unique pathway to professional sport. Growing up she never excelled at sport. She travelled the world for two years, gained a masters degree, worked as a policy advisor on international development policy for the UK government, lived and worked in Nepal and only became a professional triathlete at age 30 – having discovered a talent she never knew she had. Five years later she was four time World Ironman Champion.

Chrissie is passionate about using her platform to convey valuable messages, inspire people, and drive positive change across the world. She is an acclaimed public speaker whose impassioned, energetic and inspiring delivery encourages and energizes audiences to face their fears, set challenging goals, and defy what they think may be possible to achieve.

I couldn't quite believe it when I received an invitation to speak at the Guernsey Literary Festival. The Festival is growing in scale and reputation each year, and it was an honour to be asked to deliver a talk - not only at the Festival itself, to a wide-ranging and extremely engaged audience, but also to hundreds of local schoolchildren. To be able to inspire the next generation with a love for books and physical activity is a blessing, and I feel grateful to have been given the opportunity to share my life journey with them. The Festival programme was jam packed with great speakers, and I was fortunate enough to also attend some fantastic, inspiring and thought-provoking talks. In attending the Festival, I combined three of my greatest passions - literature, travel and sport - and I capped off the whole visit by circumnavigating this beautiful island on two feet, experiencing the very best that Guernsey has to offer in the way of serenity and utterly spectacular scenery. I really hope I, and my family, can return to Guernsey in the very near future!